Preparing Oldmachar Academy Pupils for the World of Work
Oldmachar Academy aims to combine academic learning with the development of skills for learning, life and work. The school works in partnership with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to provide pupils with careers-related support and engagement with local employers. This helps to prepare our young people for their next steps, whether these be into further or higher education, an apprenticeship or training programme, or directly into the workplace.

Careers Support at Oldmachar Academy
Our Careers Adviser, Shonagh Stocks from Skills Development Scotland, is in school three days a week during term time. She delivers guidance to both groups and individuals to enable pupils to develop their career management skills. 1-2-1 appointments are usually made via the Principal Teachers of Pupil Support.

Skills Development Scotland has a range of resources to help young people identify their skills and gain awareness of how these might fit with different courses or job opportunities.

• My World of Work can be used by pupils throughout their time at school and beyond.
• My Kid’s Career is a web service for parents and carers. It helps them support their children to make career decisions, guided by information on the future world of work.

Outwith her days at Oldmachar Academy, Shonagh can be contacted via:

Skills Development Scotland
381 Union Street
Aberdeen
AB11 6BT
T: 01224 285200

Linking with Local Employers
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North East aims to bridge the gap between employers and education to help all young people find fulfilling careers. Our DYW Employer School Coordinator, Kevin McBain, is based at Oldmachar Academy two days per week. He encourages local employers to engage with pupils, to develop their awareness of different careers and enhance their classroom learning.

Weekly career opportunities, including local apprenticeships, are available to download - check out the School App for Parents or the News and Updates page on the school website for the latest listings.

You can learn more about Developing the Young Workforce North East here. To find out more about Kevin’s role, or to offer your organisation’s support, email Kevin.mcbain@dyw.org.uk.